BASF has reported a breakthrough in the development of adhesives that do not interfere with the recycling of transport boxes, such as paperboard and cardboard boxes.
This follows the development of Acronal RCF 3705 and Acronal RCF 3706 as adhesives that combine good adhesive properties with easy removal from the recovered paper stream during recycling of paperboard packaging. These new adhesives are claimed to, ‘solve a fundamental problem for paper and cardboard packaging recycling,’ as stated by BASF. ‘While most of the adhesives used for paper labels interfere with the paper recycling process, the newly developed adhesives are easy to remove early in the process, making it possible to reuse and print recycled paper or paperboard packaging without any further issues.’
This stands to benefit markets where there is high demand for pressure-sensitive labels, according to BASF. This includes the automotive and food industries, as well as logistics. The global coronavirus pandemic spanning 2020 and 2021 led to rapid growth in e-commerce and mail order sales, which currently accounts for almost 15% of the demand for labels in Europe.
Acronal RCF 3705 and Acronal RCF 3706 have been certified by Papiertechnische Stiftung (PTS), a German research and service institute that supports companies in all sectors in the development and application of modern fibre-based options.
Uwe Düsterwald, project manager, sustainability in adhesives at BASF, commented, ‘As we work to achieve worldwide climate neutrality, greater circularity and more effective recycling are a must. By developing the recycling friendly adhesives Acronal RCF 3705 and Acronal RCF 3706, BASF has made a decisive contribution towards more sustainable labelling, for example in the logistics sector.’
These new adhesives also reaffirm BASF’s commitment to achieving a sustainable Circular Economy, as set forth in the European Union’s Green Deal. By passing the Green Deal, the EU sets the objective of achieving climate neutrality in industry and society by 2050. To help reach this target, BASF became a founding member of the cross-industry coalition CELAB in 2020.
Thomas Schiele, vice president, adhesives, fibre bonding and paper coating chemicals at BASF, said, ‘The constantly growing demand for packaging has made its recyclability a key issue for the packaging industry. Steps need to be taken, not only with respect to the packaging materials, but also the adhesives that are being used. Our innovative adhesive technologies open up completely new possibilities for a working circular economy, both in the packaging industry as well as in many other sectors.’
